Picture Update

With so little time left on Bird Island a lot of my time is now spent packing and finalizing paperwork! That being said, there is still loads of fieldwork to keep on top of and myself, James and Lucy are still out all the time, with the new ZFA team leading the work, to enjoy our last moments with these incredible animals! So here are a bunch of photos to show what the animals have been up to recently:

The final wanal chicks are making their first flight...

...once they get sure enough on their wing strength that is!

The grey-head chicks are growing up nicely, all on their own in the colonies now...

...whilst nearby to the grey-heads Antarctic prions are brooding small chicks...

...and chicks don't get much smaller than this Wilson's storm-petrel fluffball!

The shag chicks are now fledging...

...but the southern giant petrels are yet to develop their feathers; this very white chick will be a spirit geep!

Skuas are always on the lookout for some carrion...

...and the brains of a dead seal pup go down very well!

The gentoo chicks are now fully grown...

...and very curious of the world around them...

...they are starting to get their feet wet and go for their first swim...

...but that doesn't stop them getting some final meals from mum and dad!

Adult gentoos are now starting to moult as well...

...with a visiting elephant seal making its way through their colony!

The fur seal pups are now on their own most of the time...

...but they seem to enjoy life (even the ones we gave a blonde hair-do!)...

...watching over their kingdom...

...and keeping an eye on us all at base!

With just 2 weeks left to go on this magical island it is time to start saying goodbye and visiting areas for the final time.... plenty more photos to come!